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As winter turns to spring, the weather isn’t the only thing heating up. Post-operative bariatric surgery patients may save money on sunscreen as they spend more time inside having bedroom fun with their partner. Is it bariatric surgery?
A person’s sex life is significantly impacted by one sometimes overlooked aspect: their relationship to their sexuality. If someone has a poor body image, can’t receive compliments due to low self-esteem, or has low desire and arousal response, they likely do not experience the most enjoyable sex. With bariatric surgery’s potential to ameliorate these specific areas, it’s no wonder many folks see an uptick in their sexual satisfaction and intimate connections.
Improved Sexual Function
Studies have shown a positive correlation between significant weight loss and improved sexual function in both men and women. Sexual dysfunction is defined as persistent or recurrent issues with arousal, desire, orgasm, or pain. Unfortunately, obesity puts a person at greater risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction problems. Bariatric surgery has been linked to reports of better sexual satisfaction, a boost in desire, and increased frequency of sex in both men and women. Post-operative men may notice better erectile function, and post-op women may feel more intense desire and arousal, along with relief from orgasmic difficulties and pain during sex.
Hormonal Balance
Libido, or a person’s sex drive, is controlled by the sex hormone testosterone in both men and women. Fat tissue converts testosterone into estradiol, causing a decrease in testosterone and elevated estrogen levels, so those who carry more weight are likely to have lowered libido. Since bariatric surgery produces a significant hormone balance, it’s not surprising that these patients have notably higher libidos.
Hormones affect many aspects of our physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, and many of our daily habits affect our hormonal output. Getting quality sleep is one way to help balance your hormones. Thankfully, bariatric surgery can provide relief from sleep apnea, allowing you to get more restful sleep, which decreases your stress hormones and increases your testosterone levels for higher libido and sexual satisfaction.
Body Image and Confidence
In addition to the more discernible medical changes, post-bariatric patients’ improved sex life is enhanced by another glaring reality: heightened self-image and confidence. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Confidence is sexy.” Not only is confidence attractive to potential partners, but it can lead to more enjoyable sex for you. Good self-esteem empowers people to ask for what they want in the bedroom, engage in healthier self-talk, and choose partners who treat them well. All of these factors play a role in overall intimate satisfaction.
Managing Expectations
It’s normal to experience a temporary fluctuation in sex drive and other sexual functions during the adjustment period following weight loss surgery. Your progress might not look linear as hormones adjust and weight decreases. Get a head start by using mindfulness techniques, such as practicing gratitude and correcting automatic negative thoughts, to cultivate healthier habits for a better relationship with your sexuality. That way, when your body has adjusted post-surgery, you are in the best mental (and physical) shape for reaping a more gratifying sex life.
Liz Mallers (she/her) is a certified sexuality educator who works with couples and individuals to enhance their intimate pleasures. Through her psychoeducational work, Liz helps her clients unlearn the unwanted internalized messages about sexuality that create barriers to deep intimate connection, and rebuilds their understanding of sex and intimacy for a healthier and satisfying sex life.
